Learn More About SD-WAN Solutions
What are SD-WAN Solutions?
SD-WAN is a wide area network (WAN) architecture used to connect users to applications safely and reduce network management costs. It aids in virtualizing the WAN with centralized control to deploy and manage branch-office services.
WAN functionality typically helps to establish a connection between end-users at the workstation and server-based applications in the data center. Usually, dedicated multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) circuits were used to provide a secure and reliable connection. However, on the cloud, SD-WAN technology utilizes virtual private networks (VPN), internet, and wireless services. It helps reduce costs, optimize resources for multisite implementation, and ensure optimal performance of essential applications.
What Does SD-WAN Stand For?
SD-WAN stands for software-defined wide area network (or networking). WAN
is a private telecom network that connects geographically distributed local area networks (LANs). SD-WAN solutions combine software-defined networking (SDN) with WAN connectors to help organizations connect corporate networks across vast geographic locations.
What Types of SD-WAN Solutions Exist?
The types of SD-WAN are differentiated based on their deployment. There are three types of SD-WAN:
On-premises SD-WAN solutions
An on-premises SD-WAN solution either replaces or increases the effectiveness of an existing private network. It is deployed within the organization's premises as an SD-WAN box, i.e., a plug-and-play router. The SD-WAN box helps in real-time congestion management and network performance optimization by regulating network data transfer at each site. This SD-WAN architecture connects not to a cloud gateway but to other organizational sites. Hence, it provides complete control over the SD-WAN controller environment.
This architecture helps cut down cloud-enablement costs, provides multi-circuit load-balancing functionalities, aids real-time packet or traffic shaping, enhances WAN application performance, and supports disaster recovery (DR).
MPLS-based SD-WAN solutions
Multiprotocol label switching or MPLS-based SD-WAN architecture consists of multiple appliances placed at network endpoints. These tools create a virtual internet protocol (IP) network between appliances exclusive to the vendor, providing them with end-to-end control of network packets. While SD-WANs offer higher speed and bandwidth at lower costs, some companies utilize MPLS links. This is because MPLS links are network lines dedicated to a particular organization with a low risk of a data breach.
Cloud-enabled SD-WAN solutions
A cloud-enabled SD-WAN solution has an onsite SD-WAN box connecting to a cloud gateway. This architecture provides the advantages of an on-premises SD-WAN along with enhanced speed and reliability of cloud applications. If the organization’s internet circuit fails while using a cloud-based application, the gateway helps keep the cloud session active. Additionally, if the organization has an alternate internet circuit, the cloud-enabled SD-WAN can re-route the application on the cloud immediately to the alternate circuit, thereby preventing bottlenecks during the session.
What are the Common Features of SD-WAN solutions?
The following are some core features within SD-WAN software that can help users make the most of them:
Zero-touch provisioning: Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) is a standard feature on most SD-WAN devices. It automatically configures the device using a switch feature that helps IT teams efficiently deploy network devices in a large-scale environment. It eliminates the time, error, and cost of configuring the devices manually. All that is needed is an internet connection so the device can connect and auto-configure quickly, efficiently, and in a standardized manner. This happens through the use of predefined templates.
Data analytics: Organizations want their SD-WAN architecture to provide real-time network analytics. This helps provide visibility into the applications running on the corporate network and assists in the timely detection of issues. Some solutions also offer historical logs, which help in diagnosing problems easily. It provides all information and control from a centralized dashboard.
Application-aware routing: Cloud-based SD-WANs can bring high degrees of application intelligence. This is achieved through application-aware routing that outlines the paths applications need to take for better app monitoring and management. It enhances application reliability and consistency. SD-WAN solutions can be configured to emphasize business-critical applications and services and direct them via the most efficient route. Application-aware routing helps reduce bandwidth costs by efficiently balancing traffic among diverse circuits. Traffic is automatically directed to WAN links with the necessary network functionalities and path conditions to run these applications in real-time.
What are the Benefits of SD-WAN Solutions?
With organizations increasingly undergoing digital transformation, traditional network frameworks fall short while accommodating the complexities of most digital transformation initiatives. In such scenarios, SD-WAN benefits businesses in multiple ways, as listed below:
High-security level: SD-WAN technology provides a robust connection with full-fledged security. It has built-in security features and encryption capabilities to ensure secure and authorized access to applications on a corporate network. In some instances, the functionality of SD-WAN can be extended to LAN connections of the branch office to enable its security features to protect locally deployed devices and secure direct connections to online resources.
Centralized management: SD-WAN provides a policy-driven interface that centrally manages and audits all applications, irrespective of location. It simplifies the management of applications and their performance from a single point. Cloud-based SD-WAN offers integrated and centralized monitoring capabilities to manage and scale networks.
Automation: Automation and self-managed protocols of SD-WAN come in handy, especially for small and mid-size businesses (SMBs), as it helps scale down the requirement for an external technical team. It offers automation capabilities, allowing network managers to configure and generate responses to dynamic network traffic conditions. For example, during instances of a dip in the voltage level of the electrical line, the inability of the network to switch over to a reliable backup system, or network congestion, SD-WAN facilitates the automatic switching of applications from one link to another.
Cloud connectivity: The SD-WAN tool is beneficial in connecting the branch office traffic to the cloud. It allows employees direct access to cloud applications regardless of location without additional traffic burden to the core network. When using IaaS, a virtual instance of the SD-WAN router can be configured within the cloud service provider’s domain to give IT admins visibility into cloud applications.
Cost reduction: With increased movement of applications and services to the cloud, SD-WAN helps in lowering bandwidth costs by efficiently balancing traffic among the diverse circuits
Who Uses SD-WAN Solutions?
The following personas most commonly use SD-WAN solutions.
Finance teams: Companies that offer financial services rely heavily on secure and trustworthy network connections. Despite increasing cybersecurity risks, such organizations' network infrastructure is often compromised due to budget and other constraints. Multiple organizations flounder with outmoded VPN connections and complex, aging MPLS networks that no longer provide secure access to cloud-native applications. Modern SD-WAN solutions leverage internet broadband and 5G or LTE connections at a lower cost than expensive MPLS lines while providing the same benefits. The software also shields financial institutions against the loss of financial data by securely backing it up.
Manufacturers: With digitalization, companies in the manufacturing sector are adopting smart manufacturing strategies, which necessitate manufacturers to migrate from traditional WAN to SD-WAN. A manufacturing business comprises warehouses, factories, and branch offices in diverse geographic locations. Manufacturers must be connected to suppliers and distributors to manage the supply chain. The SD-WAN technology adoption helps manufacturers scale quickly to meet business connectivity requirements. It enforces centralized management via an orchestration engine that ensures the optimum allocation of network resources and balances workloads.
Retailers: Companies in the retail space have multiple branches in diverse locations that require connecting those locations into a singular network. It is imperative to ensure optimal performance and a high level of security of this network. Retail organizations transmit confidential data, such as customers' credit card details, which must be encrypted and protected. Retailers can use SD-WAN to improve the security of internal networks while also improving performance and speed.
Healthcare professionals: Healthcare providers are now adjusting to the fact that patients may want direct access to their healthcare records to review their healthcare data. This would translate to granting individuals access to secure information, which must be done in a way that doesn’t violate security protocols. Additionally, the healthcare sector often has to connect with many third parties. The adoption of SD-WAN technology is crucial to accommodate such requirements for enhancing network security and connectivity.
What are the Alternatives to SD-WAN Solutions?
The following software is an alternative to SD-WAN that can replace this type of software, either partially or completely:
Virtual private network (VPN) software: A VPN is an encrypted server that ensures the safe transmission of data over the internet from a device to a network. It prevents unauthorized access and allows remote users to work securely. It enables employees to connect to the office network and view data on their devices while working remotely. It is a helpful tool to keep confidential information safe off-site.
Challenges with SD-WAN Solutions
While SD-WANs provide numerous advantages to businesses worldwide, they pose certain challenges, as listed below, which organizations must weigh before adopting this technology:
Technical issues: By default, routers are designed to function without updates. However, SD-WAN routers require timely software updates, without which there may be instances of failure to work. This is a potential challenge in working with routers configured with SD-WAN architecture.
Lack of the right skill sets: SD-WAN offers a fresh approach to WAN management and requires proper training for IT teams to ensure the smooth functioning of the system. This can be expensive for organizations with a low budget as IT departments need to allocate sufficient resources to train the technical teams on SD-WAN technology.
Security: Though SD-WAN technology provides a layer of security, there is no denying that WANs represent certain security challenges as they are outward-facing and depend on transport outside the corporate firewall. SD-WAN technology lacks onsite security features, a data leak in one machine can adversely impact the whole organization.
Complexity: Most companies looking to deploy an SD-WAN solution usually have WAN infrastructure in place. The SD-WAN will be an overlay in addition to the existing WAN infrastructure, which is the underlay. Re-architecting the WAN connections to enable smooth migration of applications to the SD-WAN increases complexities for the organization.
How to Buy SD-WAN Solutions
Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for SD-WAN Solutions
Whether a company is looking to purchase its first SD-WAN solution or upgrade to new WAN architecture—wherever a business is in its buying process, g2.com can help select the best SD-WAN solution.
Choosing and deploying an SD-WAN solution can be a significant initiative for the organization, especially when multiple branch offices are located at diverse physical locations. A company can address various problems by migrating from a traditional WAN deployment to a software-defined WAN. An organization can evaluate the right software fit after determining the business goals it is trying to achieve by implementing this solution.
Most importantly, an organization must determine whether it wants a do-it-yourself (DIY) solution or the SD-WAN service from a managed service provider (MSP). While organizations can purchase and deploy SD-WAN software from scratch to the end independently (DIY), they can also buy it as a managed service. Purchasing the service from an MSP helps save the time required for managing many of the minor tasks essential for supporting the service. Depending on the scope of the deployment, it might be helpful to produce an RFI, a one-page list with a few bullet points describing what is needed from the platform to have a successful deployment.
Compare SD-WAN Software Products
Create a long list
Vendor evaluations are essential to the software buying process, from meeting the business functionality needs to implementation. Long lists are created by eliminating the options that do not align with the organization’s strategy. It is essential to put together a consistent list of questions to ask potential vendors keeping in mind the following considerations:
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Business requirements: The organization must determine the purpose behind implementing SD-WAN architecture. For instance, if the organization wants to enhance the performance of various applications running on the corporate network, it must opt for SD-WAN vendors whose core strength lies in WAN optimization. If they are looking to tighten application and network security, vendor evaluation should be based on how security infrastructure is handled. Some vendors offer SD-WAN solutions with built-in security features, while others may not specifically address the organization’s security concerns with their product. So the buyer should select an offering that prioritizes security. If the concern is around deploying SD-WAN at multiple branch office locations within a limited period, they may opt for the services from an MSP.
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Integration with the existing framework: Organizations expanding their operations through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are required to rapidly integrate their new branch offices across diverse locations with the existing corporate WAN. Such organizations should look for a solution that enables such integrations faster than traditional VPN technologies while also comparing the cost implications of such solutions.
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Bandwidth requirements and traffic prioritization: Balancing WAN traffic load is a crucial functionality of SD-WAN solutions. An important consideration while selecting the right solution is the organization’s WAN bandwidth requirement and how it will change in the future. In a fully managed service, buyers should look for SD-WAN service providers who ensure effective bandwidth management and prioritize traffic for each site and application through a single management pane.
Create a short list
From the long list of vendors, buyers should read user reviews, view ratings on the G2 Grid® for the SD-WAN category, read useability ratings, and shorten the list of vendors in the G2 “My List” down to a handful. With this list, businesses can compare the functionalities offered by different vendors and the pricing structure of various solutions.
Conduct demos
Demos provide an opportunity to buyers to see how the SD-WAN solution works. While pre-recorded demonstrations and tutorials are available on the product webpage, it is lucrative to request the vendor for a live demo of the SD-WAN architecture to dive deep into their technical capabilities.
Additionally, mapping out a draft deployment plan or proof of concept (PoC) is highly recommended before selecting a product as it provides a roadmap for subsequent activities and defines the resources required in each phase. A PoC should prove (or disprove) whether the technology matches the organization’s requirements.
Selection of SD-WAN Solutions
Choose a selection team
Before getting started, creating a winning team that will work together throughout the entire process, from identifying pain points to implementation, is crucial. The software selection team should consist of organization members with the proper interest, skills, and time to participate in this process. A good starting point is to aim for three to five people who fill the required roles. This can include the primary decision maker, process owner, system owner or staffing subject matter expert, technical lead, and the network or security administrator. In smaller companies, the vendor selection team may not be that big, with fewer participants that multitask and take on more responsibilities.
The selection team should compare notes, facts, and figures they recorded during the process, such as the availability of advanced capabilities, usability, and security features.
Negotiation
It is imperative to open up a conversation regarding pricing and licensing. For example, the vendor may be willing to provide a discount for multi-year contracts or to recommend the solution to others.
Final decision
After this stage, and before settling for the SD-WAN solution, it is recommended to roll out a test run or pilot program to test adoption with a small sample size of users. If the solution is well used and received, the buying organization can be confident that the selection is correct. If not, it might be time to re-evaluate offerings from other vendors.
How Much Do SD-WAN Solutions Cost?
SD-WAN providers broadly offer a mix of the following two pricing models:
- An advance purchase plan for SD-WAN hardware that cuts down subscription fees
- A subscription-based model that distributes the cost throughout a multi-year contract
Depending on the customer's preference, SD-WAN vendors can offer both solutions.
Additionally, the cost of the solution also depends on whether the organization chooses a DIY SD-WAN or opts for the services of an MSP. DIY SD-WAN implementation incurs capital expenditures, licensing costs, and continuous maintenance costs. Additionally, the organization must purchase multiple WAN connections for each branch location. On the other hand, many SD-WAN providers offer managed or co-managed services. A managed service allows the organization to shift from capital expenditure (CAPEX) to operating expense (OPEX). It involves a subscription-based model, and the organization can predict future costs associated with the deployment.
SD-WAN Solutions Trends
Adoption of SASE architectures
A trend likely to gain more visibility in the near future is the integration of SD-WAN with secure access service edge (SASE) technology. SASE combines networking (such as software-defined networking (SDN) and SD-WAN) and security features to build a highly secure, high-performing, and resilient network architecture. SD-WAN, combined with services like SASE or zero-trust network access (ZTNA), is making headway as a secure remote access solution. Adoption of SASE has snowballed recently and is expected to keep growing as network security and agility become paramount.
Rise of managed services
Deployment of SD-WAN demands the right skillset on the part of the technical team to set up and maintain the architecture. The team should be able to integrate and maintain all the branch offices, data centers, and various cloud deployments within a single SD-WAN architecture. Additionally, they should be able to quickly troubleshoot SD-WAN whenever there is a glitch.
However, if the organization opts for managed SD-WAN service or SD-WAN-as-a-Service, the provider deploys, configures, updates, manages, and maintains the entire SD-WAN network. Managed SD-WAN services are on the rise for businesses willing to work with an outsourced MSP and those who want to free up their technical team to focus on other business-critical operations.
